Common Loons

Photo © 2005 Jim Jung and licensors. All rights reserved.

Since January is (usually) the northern hemisphere's coldest month it's no coincidence that it marks the seasonal arrival of the Common Loon to our area. As northern lakes and rivers freeze solid a few adventurous loons a year arrive and avail themselves of our balmy, January weather.

Unfortunately for bird watchers this isn't a sure-thing event since mild winters allow the loons to winter further north. But when they arrive they're a vivid reminder that no matter how cold and miserable we think our winter weather is down here, it's far worse up north. At least it's something to console yourself with when you're scraping your windshield for the umpteenth time or shoveling your walk.

Offsite Link:

• Common Loon, USGS Patuxet Bird Identification InfoCenter

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